Call to maintain council child disability support

Councils have been urged to maintain funding for children with additional support needs.

A coalition of disability charities has written a letter to all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities.

They say money spent on helping youngsters is an investment in the future.

Almost 200,000 young people across the country are said to require specialist support.

The signatories to the letter include RNIB Scotland, ENABLE Scotland, Down’s Syndrome Scotland, Lead Scotland, National Deaf Children’s Society, Scottish Autism and The Alliance. Part of the letter says:

“Without access to specialist teachers and assistants, pupils with additional support needs will not get equal access to education as their peers”.

‘With proper support they can engage with their peers, take part in activities that they may otherwise be excluded from and grow their confidence and independent living skills’.

RNIB Scotland director James Adams said: ‘The expectation now is, rightly, that as far as possible all children and young people should be included in mainstream schools. But in order for those students with additional support needs to be fully included they, and their teachers, need support so that they can get the most out of their education. We are heartened to have the support of charities from across the sector behind this letter.